A complete guide to tirzepatide in Canada

If you’re currently researching weight loss injections in Canada, you may have come across tirzepatide. Also known by its brand names, Mounjaro and Zepbound, this injectable medication has become increasingly popular in recent years for its ability to support weight management.

This article explores how the drug works and how to access tirzepatide for weight management in Canada.

What is tirzepatide?

It may be a buzzy weight loss medication now, but tirzepatide was originally approved in Canada to treat type 2 diabetes. It has the ability to manage blood sugar and slow down digestion, helping to stabilize energy levels. 

Over the last few years, the medication has been used ‘off-label’ for weight management. It makes you feel fuller for longer, resulting in consuming fewer calories and eventual weight loss.

When it’s prescribed, tirzepatide is sold under the brand names Mounjaro or Zepbound. 

How does tirzepatide work for weight management?

Tirzepatide is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. In simple terms, this means it’s able to mimic two hormones – GIP and GLP-1 – that are released by your gut after eating. These hormones signal to your brain that you’re full. Because tirzepatide can mimic these hormones, it reduces your appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer.

Here, it’s worth pointing out the difference between tirzepatide and other weight loss injections like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda). These are all single-agonist medications, indicating that they rely on one active ingredient. 

However, tirzepatide is a dual agonist, which means it has two targets. According to some research, this makes it slightly more effective for weight loss. One study comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide found that tirzepatide led to faster and greater weight loss, with tirzepatide users 1.7-3 times more likely to hit major weight-loss milestones [1].

What is tirzepatide used to treat, and is it approved in Canada?

In Canada, tirzepatide is used to treat both type 2 diabetes (not type 1) and obesity. Health Canada approved it as a diabetes medication in 2022 and as a weight management treatment in 2025.

As far as weight loss is concerned, tirzepatide is marketed as Zepbound. It’s prescribed to help with weight loss and weight maintenance among adults who have a:

• BMI greater than or equal to 30 (obesity)
• BMI greater than or equal to 27 (overweight) alongside at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obstructive sleep apnea

When it’s prescribed as a weight loss treatment, it has to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and physical exercise. This enables it to deliver the most optimal results.

How is tirzepatide administered for weight loss?

Tirzepatide is delivered as a subcutaneous injection. In other words, it gets injected just under the skin. The medication is administered once weekly, either into the stomach, thigh or upper arm. It’s best to rotate the injection site each week to reduce the risk of irritation or bruising.

Tirzepatide comes in pre-filled pens with doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg. When you start using the medication, you begin at the lowest dose of 2.5 mg before moving to a higher one every four weeks. Each tirzepatide pen delivers four weekly doses.

Eventually, you’ll settle on a maintenance dose of 5, 10 or 15 mg, which many patients stay on long-term.

What are the most common side effects of tirzepatide?

Like most medications, tirzepatide does come with a few possible side effects; however, they’re typically fairly mild. The most commonly reported symptoms include:

• Pain in the abdominal area
• Burping
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausa
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Fatigue
• Reflux
• Irritation, itching, bruising or redness around the injection site

In rare cases, tirzepatide can cause more serious side effects, such as:

• Low blood sugar
• Serious digestive issues, like gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) and bowel obstruction
• Severe abominable pain
• Acute kidney damage
• Inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Allergic reaction, such as hives or trouble breathing
• Changes to your vision

If any of these occur while taking tirzepatide, stop taking the medication and reach out to your doctor. If it’s a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Who should (and shouldn't) take tirzepatide for weight management?

If you meet the criteria for a tirzepatide prescription, especially if you’re managing type 2 diabetes, it may be a powerful medication to help you lose weight and keep your diabetes under control. 

That said, it may not be suitable if:

• You’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding: In studies on rats, researchers found that tirzepatide had the potential to interfere with developing fetuses [2]. This is why doctors generally avoid prescribing it if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. There’s also no data on whether tirzepatide can get into breastmilk, so if you’re breastfeeding, your clinician may avoid prescribing it to you
• You have a history of thyroid cancer: Some animal studies have shown that tirzepatide has the potential to cause thyroid C-cell tumours, which are cancerous growths. While there’s been no evidence of increased risk in humans, the medication still comes with a boxed warning that it shouldn’t be prescribed to those with either multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma [2]
• You’ve had pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is a rare side effect, but some users have reported it. Because clinical trials haven’t confirmed whether or not tirzepatide really does increase the risk of the condition, doctors typically err on the side of caution and avoid prescribing it to those who have a history of pancreatitis
• You’re allergic to any of the ingredients: If you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to tirzepatide or the other ingredients in the medication, your doctor is unlikely to advise taking it
• You have severe gastrointestinal issues: Because of tirzepatide’s slowing effect on your digestive system, it has the potential to make existing gut problems worse. If you’ve got a more serious gastrointestinal condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your doctor might recommend staying clear of tirzepatide

How can you access tirzepatide in Canada?

Now that tirzepatide is formally approved as a weight loss medication, it’s fairly straightforward to access a prescription. 

You simply need to make an appointment with your doctor, who will assess your medical history, other treatments you’ve tried and whether you fit the prescription criteria, and decide whether tirzepatide is the right medication for you. You can then collect your medication from the pharmacy. 

Note that tirzepatide is not available over the counter. You’ll need a valid prescription from your doctor to access it.

Alternatively, you can skip the waiting room and access tirzepatide with Juniper. We make things easy, giving you online access to the medication without the hassle and time commitment of booking an in-person appointment. Your tirzepatide treatment is then delivered (discreetly) to your door, saving you the trip to the pharmacy, too.

How much does tirzepatide cost?

Depending on the dose you’re purchasing, you can expect to pay around CA$350-400 every four weeks, or possibly even more. The cost of Mounjaro or Zepbound really does vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.

It can also be affected by your insurance coverage and where you live.

Is there insurance coverage for tirzepatide?

In the past, private health insurance providers have typically only covered tirzepatide as a diabetes medication. Because the drug was used ‘off-label’ as a weight loss treatment for many years, it wasn’t officially recognized as an obesity medication. Most private health insurance providers only reimburse medications formally approved by Health Canada.

That said, now that Zepbound has been added to Health Canada’s approved drug list, health insurance companies may change their policies. Your best bet is to contact your insurance provider for the latest criteria and to find out what documentation you need to provide to qualify. 

Is tirzepatide included in provincial health plans?

Right now, tirzepatide isn’t covered by any provincial health plans, even for type 2 diabetes. However, the situation may change. Check with your local health authority to stay up to date.

Invest in your health with Juniper

Tirzepatide and other weight loss medications may seem like a big financial commitment, but they’re really an investment in your health. Losing weight can offer myriad benefits for your well-being, enabling you to live more comfortably and confidently.

If you’re keen to get started, Juniper makes the process simple and convenient. 

At Juniper, we combine weight loss medications with dietitian-led health coaching and tracking, so you can lose weight and reach your goals for good. 

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound. These groundbreaking weight loss medications mimic the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, respectively, to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer. 

Plus, we have a team of expert dietitians and health coaches you can consult with to help you work through any challenges you're experiencing during your weight management journey. This approach sets you up for sustained weight loss, rather than a quick-fix solution.

This means you can continue to enjoy the things you love in moderation without ever feeling deprived.

Ready to see if Juniper is right for you? You can check your eligibility here. 

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